Bowling alley



Am@ H2 1934.

E. MCC. STEIGLEMAN BOWLING ALLEY \Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 14. 1921 www Mm a. As, twg m 1 Q d H %M D Aug., 1&2

E. MCC. STEIGLEMAN BOWLING ALLEY y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 14. 1921 ffnung@ i a orl ti-ia: a rniintsva nome y u;

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To all 'w t may cera."

Be it known that l, Encan M. Srniann- C MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Highs ire, in the county of lDauphin and State cip Pennsylvania, have invented eertain'new and useful llinprovements in Bowling Alleys, of which the following is a specication.

s invention relates to an amusement device simulating in character a bowling alle 'Flic primary object of the invention is the provision of a bowling lalle which 1s an amusing and instructive device, and which is particularly well ada for construction on a miniature plan to. form a toy bowling alle Fiirther objects of the improved toy bowling alley, are improved means for mounting the scoring members, and means for selectively propelling a ball or the like toward a pin or scoring member.

@ther objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description. o l

ln the |accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which similar reference characters designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the improved bowling device.

Figure 2 is ya transverse cross sectional view showing various scoring elements of the game, and their relation with respect to the alley structure.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the improved bowling alley.

Figure A is a side elevation of a scoring element in vertical position.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the mounting of the scoring element in an inclined position.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the mounting of the scoring element in horizontal po- SitlFm 7 fr t nl d i re isa a enarye ar e cross sectiogililal view talig-inm on the lineg7-7 of Fi i i. i i: 3.

` igure 8 is a fragmentary showin the arrangement o" of the owling alley..

ln the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred einbodiinent of my invention, the letter A designates a playing alley, having the pins B enlarged view various details operatively mounted therein, as by means Projecting means D is provided upon one end of the playing alley A opposite the pins B, and adapted to project la ball or other element over the playing alley A. Means F is provided for returning the ball E to the end of the alley A containing the projecting means D.

The bowling alley A referably comprises the table surface 15, wiiich may be of any dimension to conform with the size of the game desired. lt is preferably rectangular in formation, and provided upon the longitudinal edges with the upstanding sides 16 and li, said sides being preferably higher rearwardly of the alley A, than their forward portions adjacent the projecting means 1D'.` An end or ball contacting plate 18 is provided for connection to the sides 16 and 17 to the rear of the lalley A.

llt is preferred that the table Surface or board 15 terminate short of the rear plate 18, to provide a substantially rectangular opening 20, extending entirely the width of the bowling alley A, and for provision of several elements of the ball return means F.

The pins B are of the ordinary ten pin formation, except that the same are relatively dat to provide the enlarged bottom portion 22 upon each of the same, for the reception of suitable scoring indicia 23. lt is preferred that the indicia 23 be numerals having a common multiple and of increasing denominations.

The mounting means C referably comprises a rectangular shaped) bar 25, transversely mounted upwardly of the table 15 to the sides 16 and 17 vertical bracing members 26 being provided for rigid attachment to the sides 16 and 17, and rearwardly of the horizontal bar 25, the same, receiving Strain incident to contact of the member E against any of the pins B. rllhe pins B are arranged in spaced relation transversely along the forward face of the bar 25. 'lllhey are preferably pivotally connected centrally of their height by hinged members 30, one leaf 31 of the hinge 30 being rigidly attached to the top and forward face of the rectangular bar 25; while a second leaf 32 of each of the hinges 30 is rigidly attached to the lower part of the individual pins B. The leaves 31 and 32 are so arranged that their connecting or pivoting pin 33 is disposed iediately below the point of juncture of the forward face and bottom face of the member 25, substantially as illustrated in Figures 4, 5, andf6 of the drawings. In this manner, the pins or scoring members B are centrally pivoted to the bar 25 to be spaced in proper relation with respect to .each other, and with respect to the top of the table surface 15.

In order to rovide an effective operating pin B, the resilient means 35 has been provided to maintain a pin B in an adjusted position, which the same assumes from contact with an operating ball E. This means 35, preferably consists of a resilient elastic band 36 tensioned in suitable eye screws 37 and 38, mounted at the extreme to and bottom respectively of each of the pins B. The resilient elements 36 are each of the ordinary rubber band formation, and tensioned from the eye of the upper screw 36 to contact and engage the rear surface 39 of the horizontal bar 25, said element 36 being looped into the eye of the bottom screw or pin 38. In this position, the eyes of the elements 37 and 38 are inwardly disposed with respect to the rear surface 39 of member 25, in order to give an arcuate or bent appearance to the band 36, and tension the same in proper manner.

The propelling means D is mounted upon the forward end of the table 15 and opposite the pins B. The .forward upstanding end 40 is provided for 'rigid attachment to the sides 16 and 17 and extending transversely of the alley A, the same being provided adjacent the table surface 15 with a horizontal slot 41 extending practically the entire width of the forward end 40. The propelling means D preferably includes a housing 43, adapted for reciprocation transversely of the alley A and adjacent the end 40. To this end, a horizontal and substantially rectangular shaped bar 44 has been provided forwardly of the end 40, and rigidly attached in suitable depressions in the sides 16 and 17, to be disposed parallel to the end 40 and spaced therefrom, as well as spaced upwardly from the table 15. Suitable guide strips 45 and 46 have been disposed upon the exterior face 47 of the end 40, and at the top and bottom thereof respectively. The strips 45 and 46 are of such formation, that when properly disposed upon the face 47, the same will provide a substantially dovetailed slot or recess 48, extending horizontally of the ends 40 and to expose the slot 41 therein.

The housing 43 is preferably rectangular in formation, including the sides 50, end 51 and roof 52. The end 51 preferably contacts the inside of the end 40, the same being provided with an aperture 54 adapted for alignment with the slot 41. The top 52 of the housing 43 is provided for rigid mounting upon the sides 50 and for disposal between the end 51 and a vertical side of the horizontal bar 44. In this position, the top 50 and end 51 snugly fit intermediate the end of the alley 40 and the bar 44, sufficient to permit reciprocation of the housing 43 in its transverse direction. The forward rtions 55 of the sides 50 are arcuated an incline downwardly to extend forwardl of the horizontal bar 44, substantially as illustrated inF lgures 1 and 3 of the drawin The plunger element 56 preferabl inclu es a rod 57 adapted for horizontal 'sposition in the housin 43 to extend longitudinally of the alley The same is reciprocably mounted through the aperture 54, and the slot 41, extending rearwardly through an aperture 58 in the sliding member 59, and provided with a handle 60 adapted for contact exteriorly upon the sliding member 59; whereb the rod 57 will be maintained within the ousing 43 in proper manner. A head 6l is formed forwardly upon the rod 57, Said head receiving an end of the spiral spring 62, which is wrapped around the rod 57 and disposed within the housing 43 the same, being normally under tension to orce the head 61 forwardly between the arcuate side portions 55.

The slidin member 59 is of formation to have bevel ed top and bottom edges to cooperate in the dove tailed groove 48, formed by the members 45 and 46. The same is reciprocable back and forth in the dove tailed groove 48. The housing 43 is likewise reciprocable upon the table 15 intermediate the horizontal bar 44 and the end 40 of the bowling alley `15. In a like member, the plunger 56 cooperates to reciprocate within the housing 43 by pulling the handle 60 outwardly from contact with the sliding member 59, thus compressing the spring 62 and pulling the head 61 of the plunger 56 into the interior of the housing 43.

The return means F preferably comprises a pair of flexible fabric inclined rtions 65 and 67, inclined transversely o the sides 16 and 17 respectively, toward the center of the alley A. They are of course disposed rearwardly of the pin mounting means C, and are connected to the rear plate 18, as well as to a downwardly extending member 68, said member 68 being attached to the rear end of the bowling table 15 and downwardly thereof. A ball runway 70 including a floor and upstanding sides is preferably inclined longitudinally of the alley A, the same extending from the rear face 18 thereof, and inclining downwardly toward the propelling or ball projecting end of the alley A. The fabric inclined floors 65 and 67 are connected at their downward marginal edges to the sides of the runway 70, whereby the ball members E may readily roll down either of the sides 65 and 67 and into the runway 70. Suitable supporting brackets 71 and 72 are arranged beneath the table 15, to support the runway 70. Supporting legs 7 3 may be provided upon the bottom of the alley table 15 in any desired position to properly support the alley A. A door 75 is hingedly connected by a hinged member 76 to the outer surface of the runway 70 and at the lower mouth end thereof; the door 70 being normally maintained in closed position by a spiral spring or resilient element 77.

1[n operation, a player disposes the ball element into the arcuate forward surface of the head 61, and draws the rod 57 rearwardly by means of handle 60 until the head 61 is disposed withi the casing 43. rlFhe -ball E will of coursfollow or be pushed into contact with th head 61 when the spring 62 is compressed, as by the above operation. rlFhe operator then slides or has already positioned his casing 4:3 transversely in proper relation to the particular pin 23 toward which he is aiming. Upon releasing the handle 60, the spring 62 will sharply force the head 61 forwardly and project the element or ball E toward the pins B. It is of course desirable to get the pin containing the highest delineation, the hitting of said pin of course depending upon the skill of the operator in properly aiming the plunger 56, to direct the force in proper relation to eH'ectively project lthe ball E against said pin The ball 1E contacts with a pin B, the pin B will be rocked upon its hinge 30 from a vertical position into a horizontal position, as illustrated in Figure 6, and the indicia contained on the pin thus rocked into horizontal position will count in favor of the operator.

However, the projecting force must Joe suilicient to send the element E into sharp contact with the various pins B, and if such force is not suilicient, due to carelessness of the operator, the pin B will not rock into horizontal position, due to the frictional resistance imposed upon the pins B by the resilient elastic element 35. As illustrated in Figure 5, the pin B is only positioned at an inclined position, and of course, cannot count for a player. As the ball passes the pins B, either missing or effectively hittin the same, it passes forwardly into the substantially rectangular opening 20 provided by the frame work of the bowling alle A, and either contacts the plate 18 or rol s directly upon one of the Hexible inclined elements 65 or 67. lDue to such inclination of `the elements 65 and 67, the ball or element E will roll into lthe runway and roll to the forward or operating part of the alley A. The

elements 1E will of course contact with the hinged door of the runway 70, and it is merely necessary for an operator to manually force the door 75 open, in order to release any of the elements 1E.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a bowling device has been perfected, in which skill is required as an element of operation, thus providing an amusing and instructive device. rllhe same may be made into many sizes, ranging from a toy of very miniature size, to large bowling alleys.

Changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

ll claim:

1. A bowling device comprising a playing' I alley, a bar transversely mounte over sai playing alley, ins hingedly connected to said bar, and 'e astio resilient members for each of said ins, each of said members being connecte at its ends to a pin on opposite sides of the hinge axis of its pin so that the same may engage said bar opposite to the hinge connection o its pin therewith to hold the same under tension.

2. ln a bowling device the combination of a playin alley, a bar transversely mounted in space relation over said bowling alley, a

pin hingedly connected to said bar, screw eyes connected to .said pin extending outwardly therefrom at the ends thereof on opposite sides of the hinged connection of said pin with said bar, and an elastic band engaged at its ends through said screw eyes and engaging intermediate its ends said bar opposite thereon with respect to the hinged connection of the in therewith, said band being normally belg in tensioned relation in this position to maintain the pin in any position in which the same might be placed.

3. lln a bowling device, the combination of a bowling alley, and. projectin means mounted at an end of the bowling al ey comprising a support member provlded with a slot longitudinally therein, a casing slidable over the floor of said bowling alley adjacent said support member, a plunger extending transversely through said slot ofthe support member in said casing, means for holding the plunger in forward-position, strips outwardly on said sup-port member providing a l/-shaped slot, and a guide member reciprocably receiving said plunger therethrough transversely slidable in said V- shaped slot.

IEIDGAIR lllleCLlELMtlt STIEJIGLEMAN. 

